Bethlehem Icon of Mother of God
Price range: $700 through $2250
Bethlehem Icon of Mother of God is a hand-painted Orthodox Hodegetria icon known for the gentle smile of the Theotokos and the joyful Nativity meaning of the Bethlehem image.
Available sizes: 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). Full 960 gold leaf background and margins with deep hand-tooled relief ornament. Free international shipping, with payment after delivery.
It is possible to paint an image in any size to order
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Bethlehem Icon of Mother of God is a hand-painted Orthodox icon of the Theotokos associated with Bethlehem and the joy of the Nativity of Christ. Unlike many icons of the Mother of God that carry a deep undertone of sorrow, the Bethlehem image is known for the gentle, almost hidden smile of the Virgin Mary.
This icon is painted in a canonical manner with warm, luminous colors and richly decorated with 960 gold leaf, deep hand-tooled relief ornament, gold assist, and pearl-like painted details on the garments. It is a joyful family icon and a meaningful Orthodox gift for marriage, children, and the blessing of the home.
Meaning of the Bethlehem Icon of Mother of God
The Bethlehem icon is especially connected with the mystery and joy of Christ’s Nativity. The smile of the Mother of God is not sentimental decoration; it is a quiet sign of the great joy brought into the world by the birth of the Savior.
For this reason, the icon is often chosen by families praying for children, for peace in marriage, for the protection of the home, and for the well-being of children. It carries a warm and hopeful spiritual character while remaining fully within Orthodox iconographic tradition.
The Hodegetria Iconographic Type
The Bethlehem icon belongs to the Hodegetria type, meaning the Directress or She Who Shows the Way. In this type, the Mother of God points toward Christ, revealing Him as the true Way to salvation.
What makes the Bethlehem image unique is the expression of the Theotokos. Her face is touched by a soft smile, reflecting the joy of Bethlehem rather than the sorrowful foreknowledge of Golgotha. The icon therefore speaks of light, birth, hope, and divine love entering the world.
Christ Child and the Orb
The Christ Child is shown in royal dignity. His right hand is raised in blessing, and in His left hand He holds an orb surmounted by a cross. This symbol points to His divine kingship and lordship over the whole created world.
Christ is shown as a child, yet also as the heavenly King. This combination of tenderness and majesty is one of the reasons the Bethlehem icon is so closely connected with family prayer and the mystery of the Nativity.
Prayer Before the Bethlehem Icon
Before the Bethlehem icon, families pray for the gift of children, for a peaceful pregnancy, for the health and protection of children, and for joy and love in the home. Married couples may pray before this image for harmony, softened hearts, and the renewal of affection.
The icon is also appropriate as a wedding gift, a gift for the birth of a child, or a family blessing for a new home. Its spiritual mood is bright, peaceful, and filled with trust in God’s mercy.
Gold Leaf and Hand-Tooled Relief
The full background and wide margins of the icon are covered with 960 gold leaf. Over the gold, a deep hand-tooled relief pattern is made in the gesso with special tools, creating a woven plant ornament that catches the light.
This is not a painted imitation of gold. The gilding is made with real gold leaf, and the relief ornament gives the icon the impression of a precious metal cover while remaining part of the hand-crafted icon surface.
Garments and Painted Ornament
The royal garments of the Mother of God and the Christ Child are richly decorated with painted pearl-like ornament and gold assist. These details echo the historical memory of precious covers and offerings given to revered icons by grateful pilgrims.
The faces are painted in warm peach and ocher tones, giving the icon an inner brightness. The warmth of the painting supports the central meaning of the image: the joy and light of the Nativity.
Icon Characteristics
| Name | Bethlehem Icon of Mother of God |
| Icon type | Mother of God, Hodegetria type |
| Distinctive feature | Gentle smile of the Theotokos, expressing the joy of the Nativity |
| Christ Child | Blessing with His right hand and holding an orb with a cross |
| Board | Linden board with kovcheg, linen cloth, chalk gesso, and oak splines |
| Painting | Hand-painted egg tempera with warm mineral pigments |
| Gilding | Full 960 gold leaf background and margins |
| Decoration | Deep hand-tooled relief ornament, gold assist, and pearl-like painted garment details |
| Available sizes | 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
| Estimated creation time | About 4 to 7 weeks, depending on size and relief work |
Materials and Technique
The icon is painted on a linden board with kovcheg and oak splines. Linen cloth is applied to the front, followed by layers of chalk gesso, which are carefully polished before gilding and painting.
The gold background is made with 960 gold leaf. The relief ornament is worked by hand through the gilded gesso. The holy faces, garments, orb, and painted details are completed in egg tempera using warm mineral colors.
Choosing a Size
Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in). For the best visibility of the hand-tooled gold ornament, the 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in) and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in) sizes are especially expressive.
Care and Preservation
Because the icon has full gold leaf and deep relief ornament, it should not be wiped with wet cloths, washed, polished, or touched on the gilded surface. Dust may be removed only with a very soft dry brush.
A glazed wooden icon case is strongly recommended to protect the gilding, relief, tempera painting, and wooden board from dust, smoke, moisture, and accidental contact.
Ordering, Shipping, and Payment
The icon is available in several sizes. Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
Questions and Answers
What is the Bethlehem Icon of the Mother of God?
It is a joyful Orthodox icon of the Theotokos associated with Bethlehem and the Nativity of Christ.
Why is the Mother of God smiling in this icon?
Her gentle smile is the distinctive feature of the Bethlehem icon and expresses the quiet joy of the Nativity of Christ.
What iconographic type is this image?
The Bethlehem icon belongs to the Hodegetria type, in which the Mother of God points to Christ as the true Way.
What does Christ hold in His hand?
The Christ Child holds an orb surmounted by a cross, a symbol of divine kingship and His lordship over the world.
What do people pray for before the Bethlehem icon?
People pray for children, family blessing, peace in marriage, protection of the home, and the well-being of children.
What decorative techniques are used?
The icon has a full 960 gold leaf background and margins with deep hand-tooled relief ornament, plus gold assist and pearl-like painted ornament on the garments.
Is the gold background painted?
No. The background and margins are gilded with real 960 gold leaf, then decorated with hand-tooled relief.
What sizes are available?
Available sizes are 17×21 cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20×24 cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27×31 cm (10.6×12.2 in), and 30×40 cm (11.8×15.7 in).
Is this icon appropriate as a wedding gift?
Yes. Its joyful Nativity meaning makes it a fitting Orthodox gift for a wedding, family blessing, or the birth of a child.
How are shipping and payment arranged?
Free international shipping is included, with payment after delivery.
| Dimensions | 17x21cm (6.7×8.3 in), 20x24cm (7.9×9.4 in), 27x31cm (10.6×12.2 in), 30x40cm (11.8×15.7 in) |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary |
